Once-in-a-generation teenage folk guitarist and singer Muireann Bradley has released her version of the enduring classic ‘These Days’, listen here. Though it was brought into the wider public’s consciousness by Nico in 1967 as part of her celebrated Chelsea Girls album, the song was originally penned by a teenage Jackson Browne. Muireann’s version nods to the track’s folky roots, while putting her own youthful stamp on the classic, complete with lush strings and her signature bright vocals.
Muireann says, “I've always loved ‘These Days’, I first heard it in the Wes Anderson movie ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ and really fell for it. I started playing it at home and then recently started to play it in my live shows. The audiences really liked it, so it was a natural step to record it. I love the lyrics, and the finger-picked guitar part that the 16-year-old Jackson Browne (who wrote the song) played on the original Nico recording. I had to change the melody to make it work for my voice which is always a bit of a worry with such a beloved and iconic song, but I hope everyone enjoys listening to it as much as I love playing it.”
18-year-old Muireann is rapidly garnering a devout fanbase, thanks to her unique style which blends traditional guitar playing with personal and mature interpretations of classic songs that belie her years. She recently covered Bob Dylan’s classic ‘Don't Think Twice It’s Alright’ for Mahogany Sessions, watch here. Muireann is bringing folk and blues and their story-rich songs to a whole new generation.
Muireann’s acclaimed debut album ‘I Kept These Old Blues’ is already regarded as a collectible among in-the-know music fans after the first pressing sold out everywhere; truly remarkable given Bradley was just 15 years old when she recorded it. This led to a reissue by her new label home of Decca Records & Verve Forecast, with Grammy®-nominated mastering engineer Kevin Reeves on remastering duties. The record demonstrates the kind of assuredness and skill to be expected of a musician five times her age, on blues standards such as Blind Blake’s ‘Police Dog Blues’ as well as Rev Gary Davis’s ‘Candyman’. Her journey from playing in her bedroom to performing on Jools Holland’s Hootenanny (watch here) and The Late Late Show has captivated audiences, establishing Muireann as one of Ireland’s brightest emerging stars. Now, she is poised for a global breakout.